 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there, after a bit of advice on the 2013 K2 Rictors. I've read a lot of good reviews on these and have found a new pair with a very good discount so am considering them.
My question is whether they are likely to be too much ski for me?
I'm yet another intermediate (I'd like to think progressing). I do 1 week a year but for the last 3 years have fitted a 4-day long weekend in as well so think it might pay to buy skis of my own. I'm confident on reds and do a few blacks but with much less finesse. Not really ventured beyond the edge of the pistes but would like to at some point. I'm still parallel skid turning but increasingly getting some feel of the edge. Not a massively agressive skiier, but like a blast here and there.
Height is 6'2, weight 18st. Would these in 174 length, 80 width sound right?
I've hired all sorts over the years. I got on well with some Atomic Nomad (Blackeyes I think?) a couple of years ago. Last year was a mixed bag... on one trip some old Salomon Scramblers were very easy to ski but felt pretty dead, the next trip went to the other extreme as I was given some Salomon Tornado Ti Powerlines. Skied the week ok on them, but they felt very stiff and heavy. Quite unwieldy when having a lesson focussing on trying to carve.
I know I should try before buying but seeing as I've got on with a variety of brands hiring, and it's not easy to find this model to test I'm prepared to go with the bargain and sell on if they're a total disaster.
Worth a punt based on the above?
Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I demo'd some last year in the same size. I am probably at a similar standard to you (1-2 weeks a year, mostly on piste reds and blacks) and a wee bit lighter (still rugby player sized and 6'1). I have some old Atomic SX10 Skicross skis (narrow, stiff, pure piste skis) and wanted to try a more "modern" ski. I had no problems controlling them, they were stable, predictable and easy to ski. In fact they were a bit too damp for me compared with the Atomics and didn't have the same edge grip or drive out of turns (it was quite an icy day) so I am still skiing old school. I think you would find 174s to be pretty well behaved and not overly stiff particularly for us of the larger persuasion, they did feel quite heavy to me, but that is probably the extra width.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks, the stiffness was my main concern in case they were very unforgiving. I guess there's only one way to find out. While everyone always says 'try before you buy' it's often easier said than done finding the exact kit in the resort, more so with discounted models from the previous year.
Now just time to convince myself that it's worth the outlay to have skis that I can get to know and will be the same every time in new condition. For the amount I ski I think they'd take 4 or 5 years to pay for themselves after you take ski carriage ans servicing into account.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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frosty75, But they are shiny and new 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Avalanche Poodle - you make an extremely convincing argument 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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frosty75, I'm in a very similar position to you in every way (but a few inches shorter and a stone or so lighter - basically a prop!)
Anyway, I've definitely convinced myself that buying some skis is the way forward. My skiing sounds remarkably similar to yours too and i've got to the stage where i'm fed up with rental skis as it's only ever once in a blue moon when you get a pair that are really well maintained and feel like they're helping you ski as they're all just over-used and knackered.
I still haven't bought any and am renting again this season (despite my conviction, there's the small matter of budget to sort out!) but I reckon settling on a general length, shape and turn radius etc that usually suits you and then looking around for deals on anything in that general ballpark is better than focussing on specific models - I figure that any ski that's owned and used exclusively by me is always going to be a better experience than some rental pair that's seen weeks and weeks of who-knows-what abuse.
On that basis, if you want them and think you'd be happy on them then go for them - I reckon feeling good on a particular ski is at least as much about how you like the look/feel/weight/price to help inspire confidence as it is about anything techinically measurable given a specific set of variables.
To completely contradict myself though, have you tried skiing anything longer and fatter than those? From your vitals and skiing style/aspirations I'd just question the length and sidecut you're looking at. As I said I'm a bit shorter and lighter than you but generally go for something about 180 in length with 84-88 underfoot as I find longer skis are usually a lot more stable on piste and that I need the extra surface area off-piste otherwise I tend to sink!
Maybe not a case of too much ski, but not enough....?
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If buying, how about next time you go you stay somewhere on piste (or very close, to minimise hassle) with a very close ski shop, and try a different pair each day.
You'll have to pay for a premium package, but at least you'll get some idea of the skis you like best.
It's an expensive mistake to make otherwise - I bought Rossignol Zeniths 10 or 15 years back on a Snow and Rock recommendation and never really got on with them, for no particular reason that I could see - I just didn't like them and vice versa.
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Chaps, I know this is a bit controversial given how much we all like kit on Snowheads, but at the stage you are at (I was there too once), I think any all mountain mid-fat ski will do you proud, including the Rictor. The ski will be much, much less important than your technique - so get something relatively cheap designed for advanced intermediates/early experts, make sure it is tuned properly, and get some lessons.
The skis I bought when at your stage a few years back were Whitedot Ones, because I liked the look of them and they were 50% off with the bindings. These are an all mountain ski with a freestyle bias, and 89mm underfoot in a 173cm length. I am 5'9" and 80kg (and play at wing!). I still have those skis. And today was spent on them carving high speed carved turns on concrete, icy piste. It was heaven. My skis supposedly cannot be used for that as they are too fat/floppy/twintips/have no metal strengthening in them. All poppycock!
Buy something you like, at a good price so that you can get another pair later if you feel the need (I did not until this season - I bought a pair of the same company's Preachers, also at heavy discount, as in last year's powder, my Ones were not really floaty enough. Big mistake; this year, there is no powder!!). As long as they are all mountain jobs and not super-specialist things, and are the right length for you, you'll be fine.
I have skiied the Rctors, and really like them - sort of a spiritual successor to the old Apache Recon, which was a great ski, I thought. If you have found a good deal, buy them, ski them, and get some lessons on a) race training (helps with the carving) and b) off-piste. A good school will not sneer at your mid-fat skis - they will simply teach you technique that will allow you to use them for anything.
If you then turn into a powder hound or gate fiend, you can get another pair of more specialist skis.
Hope that helps!
Last edited by After all it is free  on Fri 10-01-14 8:09; edited 3 times in total
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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hear hear
wouldn't call them unforgiving. was quite surprised how easily they can be turned, given that they're pretty heavy (like many K2 and Volkl skis are), and maybe a tad longer than I'd normally ski (tip rocker probably makes them effectively a bit shorter in skiddy piste turns, and longer when railing it - at least that's the argument I used).
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Hi there, I'm also 6'2 and 18 stone, I Ski the 2012 version of these ski's but have a size up which you may want to consider. I'm a red/black skier who ski's twice a year (maybe 15 weeks in total). These ski's blew away the old bandits and xwing Ti's I used to ski. Get them.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Harry Flashman, Thanks for the response. Although I could notice a difference in the skis, my actual skiing was not massively impacted one way or another by skis right at either end of Salomons range last year. I just fancy some nice new kit for a change, which is as good a reason as any for me. I think I'll go for them. 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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And thanks every on else of course...
Jimmp501, Bandits are another ski I remember getting on well with a few years back when I hired them, so that seems a good recommendation.
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6ft2 / 100kg here, and I've got the longer ones (about 180cm?)
often bargain prices when you get last season's colour, and free shipping from Sport Conrad when I bought mine.
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You know it makes sense.
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That's exactly what I'm looking at, last years for £170 discount.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Its odd some skis you just get on with and some you dont ....
Surely there are still ski shops out in the resorts that will let you rent test skis all week and then discount the hire price for a brand new pair of what takes your fancy over the week?
How else are yo going to know?
I'd suggest Frosty you go up a size from 174cm if your 18st ... I know they look big, but your a big fella!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just updating this thread, in case any other skier of a similar level is contemplating an all mountain ski marketed as 'advanced / expert'.
They were absolutely fine, really enjoyed skiing them this past 4 days in Courmayeur.
There was so much snow that some days it was a bit 'off-piste on the piste' but I managed ok and they were easy enough to control. I'm guessing the all-mountain width and rocker helped a bit here. On the days when it wasn't snowing and wind had blown away powder to reveal hardpack on some pistes in La Thuile, I could feel the stiffness a little more, but again it was easy enough to initiate turns and they responsed really well to edging mid way. I couldn't be as lazy with technique on a chopped up bumpy black run as with really floppy beginner skis, but this was no bad thing I suppose. Makes you concentrate on what you're doing.
Looking forward to another week on them in Avoriaz in March. Hopefully with a little less snow falling during the day so I can see what they're like when going a bit faster on smooth pistes.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Glad you liked them. I would have been tempted with slight longer atomic Blackeye - for anyone looking http://www.sport-conrad.com/page/product-detail/__/shop/prod/30814 Sounds a good price. I must admit would have thought in powder, you would need something longer and wider. I'm a similar height and 14.5 stone and wouldnt say i float with atomic crimson which has 88 mm under foot. Sounds like the eky for you is having something that works on piste and these work for you. I have 2 pairs and mor often than not tend to be on my head magnums.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Absolutely, I'm an intermediate piste skier, and these worked well. I must admit I still have a mental block about going too long and them being hard to turn on piste. All the hire skis I've been given have been 171 - 176 and are between chin and nose height on me. Seem to work ok for 'between the pistes' stuff too, which is as far as I go really. I've got a world of technique to sort out on piste before I go venturing much further off it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I know what you mean about length. I ski 177 magnums and similar length on the crimsons. saying that i used to ski 195 and upwards pre carvers. Bit the same about off piste like the idea of powder but don't want to stray too far off piste. Th crimsons are a good ski for me day after a snow fall but wouldn't want them as my only ski.
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